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Zira will entertain Osijek at Dalga Arena in UEFA Conference League qualifying on Thursday. The first leg was a clash of the titans – who will blink first in the rematch?
Zira vs Osijek Preview
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, much to the pleasure of Zira, who fought hard and scored through Raphael Utzig to peg back Osijek’s 36th-minute opener. The Croatian side had no time to respond as the equalizer came in added time (94th minute). Zira will be expecting another action-packed evening at their home ground.
Qartallar are UEFA Europa League returnees, as they crashed out in the first qualifying round to join the UEFA Conference League in the second round. They thumped Slovakian side DAC Dunajská Streda 6-1 on aggregate to earn passage to the third qualifying round. Zira sit second in the Azerbaijan Premier League on six points.
Osijek were hoping to end the first leg holding their one-goal lead but Zira’s late leveller doused the happy mood of the home side. However, Osijek don’t have the momentum and the morale may not be as high as that of the hosts.
Bijelo-plavi are participating the Conference League for the fourth consecutive season, in search of their first qualification for the group stage. Their best record remains a third qualifying round spot. Osijek sit a place above the floor with zero points in the new Croatian top-flight season after losing their first two matches.
Zira vs Osijek Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Zira have lost twice in their last 10 matches in all competitions, winning seven times.
- Zira have won thrice and lost twice in their last five matches at home.
- Zira have played 11 UEFA matches, winning five, drawing three and losing three while Osijek boast 48, with 22 wins, seven draws and 19 defeats.
- Osijek have won thrice and lost twice in their last five matches on the road.
- Zira have won four times and drawn once in their last five matches while Osijek have won twice, drawn once and lost twice. Form Guide: Zira – W-D-W-W-W, Osijek – L-D-L-W-W.
Zira vs Osijek Prediction
Zira will exploit home advantage over the visitors. However, it is no guarantee for a successful outcome, as Osijek will be looking to right their wrongs from the first leg.
Osijek will strive for an early goal to put the pressure on the hosts. The side that concedes first will have more work to do, and we see the home side piling the pressure on their visitors.
Zira are expected to prevail based on form and home advantage.
Prediction: Zira 2-1 Osijek
Zira vs Osijek Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Zira to win
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Zira to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Osijek to score - Yes
